Japan, part 2: Missing Passport

Having visited Kyoto, my plan was to visit Osaka for a day, spend the night there and then the next morning head towards Tokyo. I had everything planned out, and once in Osaka, I was headed for Kaiyukan, the Osaka aquarium.

Unfortunately, I got distracted by the huge Ferris wheel and all the lights in the area (made more captivating because it was getting dark). I was carrying my umbrella in one hand because it was raining and my camera in my other hand, and in my hurry to get to the aquarium, I didn't notice when my wallet with ALL my money AND my passport fell out of my pocket.

Yes, it was my fault. I know better than to keep all my money in one spot. I was in a hurry and instead of taking only what I needed, I grabbed the whole wallet. Yes, I know better than to carry my passport on me; I forgot I had it in my wallet and when I did remember, I didn't want to waste time backtracking to the locker where the rest of my stuff was.

So, I lost my wallet. I realized it within 5 minutes, but it was already gone. I went back and looked for it, but nothing. So I went to the police station, and fortunately there was someone who spoke English and he was able to write up a lost article report.

Having lost all my money and credit cards and all forms of ID, I had nowhere to go. The only thing I had on me still was my Japan Rail Pass (luckily tucked away in my backpack, which was left in the locker). I had to cancel the reservations at the two hostel/guesthouses I was planning to go to, and ended up staying....at the police station.

They set up two benches facing each other and gave me several blankets. Even though I didn't speak any Japanese and they spoke barely any English, they were super kind and made sure I was ok. They fed me and (I think it was) the overnight chief gave me 1000 yen (about $10) when I left. They drove me to the nearest JR line, and gave me directions to the USA consulate.

The consulate was very helpful and they set me up with the Nagai Youth Hostel, who let me stay there without paying until I could get emergency money sent from the USA to pay them. But I had to stay in Osaka in case my wallet and passport did turn up, and to get an emergency passport and the money that had been sent from home. That was probably one of the most miserable days I've ever had...it was cold, rainy, and from 10am-3pm I had to leave the hostel so they could clean it, and I didn't have enough money to go anywhere.

Then, what do I find out? It turns out my boyfriend, who was in Japan for a different reason, was in Osaka as well. He originally thought he was going to Fukuoka and didn't realize that I was also staying in Osaka. He just happened to mention it in passing after I told him what happened. So I was able to meet up with him, which was also lucky for him, as he needed to use my cell phone (I probably have a huge bill from all the international roaming charges) to arrange for a flight back to Korea.

So on my last day in Japan, Kevin and I went to the Tennoji Zoo and then Kaiyukun (the aquarium). The Tennoji Zoo is kind of sad looking. It's old and is in need of a face-lift. Maybe it was because it was winter and not that many people were there, but it was a definite disappointment. The enclosures for the animals were clean, but generally not aesthetically pleasing. There were two high points to the zoo: the hyenas, which are really cool looking animals and way bigger than you think (especially if you equate hyenas to the cartoon versions from the Lion King, like I do) and the giraffes, which are HUGE.

The Kaiyukun, however, is amazing. I've been to several aquariums, and this one is one of the best - if not the best - one that I've seen. It's kind of expensive to get in (2000 yen or about $20) but if you have an Osaka day pass or go after 5pm with another person, there's a small discount. But it's totally worth the money. You head up an enormous escalator that takes you to the top and then as you make your way back down to the bottom you see all the different exhibits. They have penguins, a whale shark, the sunfish (look up a picture of it - it's a weird looking fish), lots of different rays and fishes and so on.

We had dinner at one of the restaurants nearby - a do-it-yourself tempura fry and then headed back for the night. Kevin suggested going to see the Floating Gardens at the Umeda Sky Building as he saw it earlier and thought I would like it despite the height, but we ran out of time.

Oh, and my wallet? I got a call on that last day from the consulate, who said that it and my passport had been turned in to the police station by the aquarium. When I went to pick it up, everything was intact, including all of my money. How cool is that? It makes me think - if I was in any other place, would I have gotten everything back? I had over 30000 yen in the wallet. Maybe I was just lucky. Actually, I know I was, because if the passport had not turned up, not only would I have had to pay for a new one, but I would have had to apply for another work visa in Korea, which meant I wouldn't have been able to teach at the start of the new term as planned.

So while the trip wasn't a complete success, and for a day or two was a complete bust, there were some definite high points and I am most definitely thankful to everyone who helped me and to the person who turned my wallet in. Plus, I got to see my boyfriend, who I wouldn't have meet up with if I hadn't lost my wallet, since I would have been in Tokyo by the time I'd have found out he was in Osaka.

And no pictures, as when everything went south I was not motivated to take any pictures, and when I went to the zoo and aquarium I left my camera battery charging at the hostel. ><